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On February 21st, Billy Graham went on to be greeted by his maker in eternity.

It is funny how some blog posts just come to me. This is one of those. I don’t know what it is called exactly, but often I find that my attention is drawn to specific situations and had recently. Billy Graham’s passing was one of them. I had just watched an episode on the series The Crown where Billy Graham was having a crusade in Great Britain and was invited to visit Queen Elizabeth. In this episode was a scene where Elizabeth and her husband Phillip where Phillip said that he had been a Fuller Brush salesman.

At the same time, I started a new job in sales. Part of the reason was because I wanted to make more money, but another reason was so that I could personally become a better salesman. At the same time this story broke, I was in training for this new job this caused me to be particularly sensitive to Graham’s preaching style. It made me realize that Graham was Christ’s Closer. His style drew millions of people to the altar using many of the skills that made him a top salesman for Fuller Brush Company.

Preparing for Success

Before Billy Graham went out to each one of his prospects, he made sure that he had all the brushes neatly in his case as well as the necessary paperwork.
As an evangelist, the first thing that Billy Graham did was to prepare for his presentation. Back when he was traveling from one crusade to another, his team would go to the area and seek help from the local community in creating the backdrop. From the local population, his team brought in locals as ushers and to showcase local personnel.

Word of Mouth Advertising

In addition to creating a unique experience for his congregation, by using locals, he also had a team of word-of-mouth publicity announced throughout the area churches letting everyone know that he would be holding a crusade in his area. This word of mouth communication came from individuals who shared with those around them how they met Christ at one of Graham’s previous crusades.

He Was Passionate About His Offer

I am sure that when Billy Graham was selling Fuller Brushes that he truly believed in the brushes he sold. I am certain that he believed that every housewife needed the right tool for the right job and his brushes would make housework easier for housewives.

His passion for bringing others to Christ was far greater than his passion for Fuller Brushes. His passion for Christ was demonstrated in every sermon that he ever gave and millions of people recognized his genuine passion and accepted the call to Christ.

Showing the Problem

As a Fuller Brush Salesman, Graham would explain how the wrong tools made housework harder.
In his crusades, he would share statistics, he would share current events in which every person in the room could relate. He talked about the hopelessness of alcoholic, drug addiction, and loneliness.

Story Teller

In his Fuller Brush sales presentation, I would imagine that Graham told a lot of stories of other housewives who found success with Fuller brushes.
In his crusades, he not only told stories about how Christ had changed lives, he brought in guests who told how Christ changed their lives.

Sharing the Benefits and Grabbing the Heart-strings

To sell his brushes, he not only had to tell his prospects the features of the brushes, he had to share with them how each brush would affect the prospect individually. He would allow the customer to handle the brushes and allowed them to visualize how the brushes would make the drudgery of housekeeping easier.

In his crusades, he brought it all together, drawing out the feeling that showed each individual how awful their life without Christ was in a way that made them realize how hopeless their life was without Jesus, but he didn’t stop there, he let them know that Jesus was the only hope. He showed the benefits of a life with Christ. No more guilt, no more shame, peace, and happiness.

Going in for the Close

When Billy Graham saw that the moment was right, he took out his order forms and began filling out the sheet. He then took the orders for the brushes that the customer was ready to purchase.

At the crusade, once Graham had you by the heart, the choir started singing Just as I am. This is where Graham would draw you in for the close. He had opened your soul to realize that there was a void there that only Jesus Christ could fill. He then made the offer of eternal life through Jesus Christ. Hundreds, often thousands came forward and kneeled at the altar accepting Christ at the end of Graham’s presentation.

Although I am not a door to door salesperson nor am I any longer a preacher at a church, I am using similar techniques at my sales job. I have prepared for the day through training and mental preparation. When I get on a call, I first overcome my own resistance to my own fear of rejection. Then through story-telling and drawing on the heart strings, I paint a picture that makes customers want what I have to offer.

As a self-publisher, and book seller, I see that I need to use the same template for my own business. I am just starting a new phase in my publishing business where I am taking serious what Zig Zigler once said, “By helping others get what they want, I can be successful.”

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My Vision

A number of years ago, back when my son Jonathan was a baby, I was lying in bed when I had what I guess you could call a vision. I was sitting in the branches of a tree overlooking Alton, Missouri. At first it looked peaceful, but then I started noticing that there were these paisley looking things swirling around the buildings. I was suddenly afraid because I realized that they were demons. I thought, “I can’t do anything against them.”

The next thing I knew, I felt a hand on my shoulder and I saw Jesus. (Don’t ask me how I knew him, I just knew him.) He said, “Dealing with them is my job. Your job is to bring my people together.”

Over the years I have thought about this “vision” a number of times. How was it going to happen? I had no idea. I simply knew that if it was meant to be, God would make it happen.

A few days ago I thought about it again and realized that this calling was beginning to become a reality. Last year, the Lord started having me participate with two different congregations. I didn’t take them over, mind you. I just participated in their worship and Bible studies. I had developed relationships with both congregations and shared their love for Christ.

Then a few months later, I became pastor of this church and joined the ministerial alliance in one of the local towns. Recently, I have started developing a friendship with some of the younger pastors of the area. I also participated with a radio prayer program with this same group.

What is the Church?

The other day a pastor friend of mine tried to make some sort of doctrine concerning the verses in Revelation 2 and 3 where it talks about the churches. I decided to look up the word churches in the original Greek and discovered that the word “churches” is the same word (ekklisia) used for the word church. That word means “the called out”.

I received quite a revelation. The church is not a building. The church is people. God doesn’t see different churches. He views the church as a single entity. In John 17:21, Jesus prayed that “they (the disciples, the foundational members of the church) would be one that the world would believe”. The goal of the first century church was unified in their beliefs of Jesus. The only division noted in that first century was the division because of location. For example, the church in Ephesus was separated from the church in Thyatira because of distance rather than based on doctrine.

In I Corinthians 12, we learn that another term for the church is “the body of Christ”. Again we see that there is only one church, but there are many members and that there are differences with in that body and that God planned the church that way. Just as he created each one of us uniquely, he created the church with many members performing different functions. In addition, as the second and third chapters of the Revelation demonstrates, there are differences of focus presented to each part of the church, however, never once did Jesus say to John that none of these congregations were not a part of the church.

A Personal Calling

The church is people and God does not want division between us. He wants us to realize that he has each of us placed in this world for a specific calling. I believe that bad mouthing the church down the street goes against what God himself wants. We, the body of Christ, are to love one another as he first loved us. This is my calling. To show others that as believers in Jesus Christ, we belong together.

She is also the author of historical fiction series The Locket Saga. which includes When God Turned His Head and Soldiers Don’t Cry, the Locket Saga Continues, and, A Coward’s Solace, Book III of the Locket Saga. The next book Book IV of the Locket Saga: Sailing Under the Black Flag will be out in the near future.

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In our previous post, we saw that Sabbath meant rest and we looked at a number of verses that talked about when various Christian in the Bible met. Jews traditionally maintained their Saturday Sabbath whereas the Gentile or Greek believers met on Sunday which they considered the Lord’s Day because that was the day he overcame death. If you missed this post, click here to check it out.

Today we are going to continue with this Sabbath theme and discuss what we should do on the Sabbath. (Don’t worry, it won’t be all that painful)

First, Cease from Working

Since the word Sabbath means rest, it is a day when we should rest from our everyday work. since the old testament law is a teacher and a foreshadow of what Christ has for us, we can look at when God first instructed the Jews in honoring their Sabbath. He had taken the Israelites out of Egypt and started feeling them manna. Every day they were supposed to gather their portion of manna and eat it. The only exception was the Friday before the Sabbath Day when they were told to pick up enough for that day too because there would not be any manna to pick up that day. After the Israelites settled, they were to continue the tradition of not gathering or preparing food on the Sabbath. Everyone was to rest from their labors.

What does that mean for us today? Well, if we are to continue resting from work on the Sabbath, I would think that we should also assist others in being able to rest on our Sabbath as well. As much as we are able that its. I think that we should be sensitive to those people who work in food services on our Sabbath. Granted, our Sabbath may not be their Sabbath, but I think that we need to show consideration to those who are allowing us to rest from working, cooking, and serving on our day of rest. I think that one of the worst things that we can do in our Christian walk is to mistreat those who serve us in restaurants. Both my own personal experience in the past as a cook and waitress who had to work on Sundays (my chosen Sabbath) and those I have known in food services all agree that some of the meanest spirited, demanding people who we have had to serve were people who had just come into the restaurant from a church service. And tip? I got far better tips from motorcyclist groups. Not only that, but they often treated me as though I were a heathen because I worked on Sunday. I cannot tell you how many tracts I got in leau of gratuity. When I have brought this to the attention of other Christians, I have been given the excuse that sometimes they just didn’t have the money to leave a decent tip. My response to that is that if they cannot afford to leave a tip, then perhaps they should have gone out for fast food (where no gratuity was expected)rather than to a sit down meal.

Second, Celebrate What God Has Done

The word Sabbath not only includes the concept of resting from work, but it also denotes the idea of celebration. Because God rested on the seventh day after all of his creation, the Israelites celebrated and praised God for his creation. As Christians, we too can do this. This time of year I find it especially easy to worship God through his creation. Everything is coming to life and the colors are so vivid after the drabness of winter. We have so much to be grateful for. We have been given so much. Our gratitude and praise is what God is looking for from us as we rest from toil and focus our attention on him.

In addition to worshiping God for his creation, we Christians also have Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. We also have the gift of His Spirit living inside of us, our helper, our counselor. We can also celebrate everything that his work on the cross gave to us. In addition to salvation to an eternity with Christ, as believers, he offers us healing in spirit mind, and body..

Third, Gather Together

One of the biggest arguments that I have heard from others about why they don’t go to church is that they can worship God wherever they are. Although that is true, God is available everywhere, I cannot recall anywhere in the Old or New testament where anyone thought that worshiping alone was what they were supposed to do on a regular basis. At first, the goal was to go to the Temple in Jerusalem for as many major days as possible. when the temple was not available, Jews built synagogues in the cities where they lived. Christians throughout the Bible also gathered together even at the risk of persecution or even death, they gathered together to worship God.

We also get together to pray. As the word says, where two or more agree as touching anything,, God will do whatever they ask. That’s some pretty powerful stuff when you think about the idea that one will put a thousand to flight and two ten thousand. Imagine what prayer could do if a whole church filled with people believed what God promised!

When we cease from our labors and gather together in prayer and to praise of God for all that he has done for us, the Sabbath becomes a day of true celebration. At least one day in seven becomes a day of celebration. Joy begins to radiate in our lives to the point that we are gracious to all those we mean, even those who serve us.

She is also the author of historical fiction series The Locket Saga. which includes When God Turned His Head and Soldiers Don’t Cry, the Locket Saga Continues, and most recently, A Coward’s Solace, Book III of the Locket Saga

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A Drought in the Land

Do you feel as though the Lord has called you to service? Take a lesson from Elijah. In I Kings chapter 17, God called Elijah the Tishbite and told him to tell Ahab the kind that there would not be rain or dew for the next three years in the country of Israel. He then took him to the brook called Cherith. The name of this brook is very interesting because the name means “covenant”. It was hear that God allowed Elijah to stay and be fed by the Ravens every morning and evening until the brook dried up.

A brook represents living water which according to the New Testament is the Holy Spirit. This interaction is reminiscent of many Christians in Christian churches. Christians like to sit in church and allow others to feed them. Week after week they drink of the spirit of God. Never growing. Eventually, if the Christian stays in this position, the spirit dries up. They are no longer fed by others and if they stay where they are, their spiritual lives will dry up.

Elijah, of course, did not stay where he was, but listen to God when he told him what he needed to do next. He went to the home of the widow woman and we all know the story of how when she gave him all that she had, the Lord provided for her, her son, and Elijah all ate for many days. We then learn of how Elijah brought her son back to life.

The Drought Ended but the Real Problems Began

We then learned in chapter 18 about how Elijah trusted God and God consumed with fire Elijah’s water soaked offering. Then Elijah slew the prophets of Baal near the brook of Kishon. After that, Elijah predicted that it would rain and it started raining in exactly the way he said it would.

When in chapter 19, the queen discovered that Elijah had killed off all the prophets of Baal, she threatened to kill Elijah Elijah went and requested himself that he might die and said that he had not done enough. He thought he was the only one. He felt like a failure. Elijah was depressed all he could do was eat and sleep. Then the angel of the Lord told him that he would need nourishment for his journey and fed him again. After that, Elijah didn’t eat of forty days and nights as he journeyed to Horeb. There while standing in a cave he heard a wind, an earthquake, and a fire but God was not in the earthquake. Rather, he was in the midst of a still small voice.

The instructions of the Still Small Voice

There God told him to go to through the wilderness of Damacus and to anoint Hazael as king over Syria and Jeru over Israel and Elisha as the prophet to take his place. God also told Elijah that he was not alone, that God had 7000 others in Israel who did not worship Baal.

I think that there are a lot of Christian workers who feel they have failed God or that whatever they have done in this life while serving God was simply not enough. Like Elijah, they feel alone and that their work is in vain.

Our Own Spiritual Droughts

I know that I have felt like that lately. Recently I attended a revival it was the best experience I have had in a long time. I have been trying to serve at this church since November and have had very few people attend.

I have seen the Lord provide for me month after month during that time, but still, there has been a spiritual drought. I have felt that time of refreshing, only to be threatened with a depression that made me feel as though I was useless and a failure. Like Elijah, I just wanted to die.

Like Elijah, who was looking for God in the wind, earthquake, and fire, I was looking for big things to happen. That wasn’t how God is working right now. Rather, he is speaking to me in a still small voice telling me that depression is not where God wants me. He has other things for me to do. He has reminded me that I am not alone either. He has others getting ready to listen to his voice, who are ready and willing to be obedient.

She is also the author of historical fiction series The Locket Saga. which includes When God Turned His Head and Soldiers Don’t Cry, the Locket Saga Continues, and most recently, A Coward’s Solace, Book III of the Locket Saga

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Last week, I told that part of my mission was to bring others to the one (Jesus Christ) who could rescue them from the consequences of their sins.
This brings me to the second part of my pastoral mission.

A Vision

Years ago, I was getting ready to fall off to sleep when I had a vision. In the vision, I was sitting in a tree overlooking the town where I lived. The tree was a real tree that I saw often and if I knew that if I were to sit up in that tree I could see the whole town just as I did in the vision.
While sitting there, I began to see these little fish like things floating around in the air. This fish like things reminded me of the design on a paisley print. They moved everywhere. Suddenly I knew what those were. They were demons and I immediately knew that there was nothing that I could do about them. I was also afraid because I knew that they could hurt me.
Next thing I knew, I felt a reassuring hand on my shoulder. I turned and it was Jesus Christ. How I knew it was Jesus, I don’t know, but I instinctively knew.
He looked me in the eyes and told me. “Don’t worry about them. I will deal with them. Your job is to bring my people together.”
Recently, this vision has come back into my remembrance because it is now significant to my current mission. The second part to my pastoral mission is to bring people together in Christ.

So what exactly does this mean?

What comes to mind is this parable that Jesus told in Luke 14:16-23 (Berean Literal Bible)
16)“A certain man was preparing a great supper, and invited many. 17)And at the hour of the supper, he sent his servant to say to those having been invited, ‘Come, for now it is ready.’
18And all with one voice began to excuse themselves. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and I have need, going out, to see it. I beg of you, hold me excused.’

19And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to prove them. I beg of you, hold me excused.’
20And another said, ‘I have married a wife, and because of this I am not able to come.’
21And the servant having come, reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house having been angry, said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in here the poor and crippled and blind and lame.’
22And the servant said, ‘Sir, as you did command, it has been done, and there is still room.’
23And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges and compel them to come in, so that my house may be filled. 24For I say to all of you that not one of those men having been invited will taste my supper.’”

Will You Accept Your Invitation?

You are invited to a great feast, and as a servant of God, it is my duty as a servant of God to invite you to that feast. The feast is not whether or not you come to my church. Attending my church is not the feast, although I would hope that by coming to my church it would show you how to get to that feast. Whether you come or not depends on you. I pray I see you there.

Donna Brown is pastor at Faith in God Church in 1 1/2 miles south of Brandsville, Missouri on hwy 63. She would be happy to answer any questions about this or any other post. Comment below or direct any questions via email at cygnetbrown@gmail.com.

She is also the author of historical fiction series The Locket Saga. which includes When God Turned His Head and Soldiers Don’t Cry, the Locket Saga Continues, and most recently, A Coward’s Solace, Book III of the Locket Saga.For more information about Cygnet Brown and her book, check out her website at http://www.cygnetbrow.com.

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The book of Hebrews opens with the writer telling us how God relates to people. He says that in times past, God related to us through the prophets, but now He relates to us through His Son who He has made heir of everything and through Him God made the world.

The writer then describes the Son. He looks just like God the Father. He has his glory and power. His power is in His Word. He is the one who purges us of our sins. He is now sitting at the right hand of The Father in Heaven. He is much higher in status than the angels (including Lucifer) and has a more excellent name than they have.

More than Just a Name

The word used for name in this passage and most passages in the New Testament is the Greek word onoma which is translated name, but is more than just ‘name’ the word includes the individual’s character and authority.

In old times, if someone were to go somewhere and say, “I have come in the name of the king”, this person means that they represent the character of the king and they have that kings authority.

More Than Just Believing In the Existence of God

It says in Acts 2:21 that whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. This means more than believing in his existence. In James 2:19 it says that the devils believe that there is one God and tremble, but simply believing in his existence did not save them. The key word in Acts 2:21 is not in the believing, but in the word “name”. In order to be saved from eternal death, we must believe Christ’s authority and power as the Son of God and through his perfect saving work upon the cross. Hebrews 11:6 says, “without this faith, it is impossible to please God. For he that comes to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” It is our faith in his saving power and our seeking to seek his will in our lives that we are able to please God.

She is also the author of historical fiction series The Locket Saga. which includes When God Turned His Head and Soldiers Don’t Cry, the Locket Saga Continues, and most recently, A Coward’s Solace, Book III of the Locket Saga.For more information about Cygnet Brown and her book, check out her website at http://www.cygnetbrow.com.

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Do you want to feel good about who you are? If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you should feel good about the person that you have become in Christ.

In I John 4:16 & 17, It says: “And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love, and he that dwells in love dwells in God and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect that we may have boldness in the day of Judgement.

There is coming a day of final reckoning called the day of judgement. That is when God judges the nations for not recognizing that he is The Sovereign God, the one who created the entire universe. However, if you have made Christ the Lord of your life, you have nothing to worry about. He’s got you covered. For this you can stand (gratefully) tall.

In I John 5:11& 12 it says: “And this is the record that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that has the Son has life, and he that has not the Son of God has not life.”

You are spirit. We are all spirit and we will exist forever, but where will you exist forever? To live forever with all that is good, what a blessing! Can you imagine? That is what God wants for every one of us! If you however do not know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you have serious problems. The final judgement is not something that you want to have to face without Jesus Christ on your side, but there is a simple fix. Ask God to forgive you of your sins (especially the sin of neglecting to recognize that God has every right to be in control). Let him know that you are asking Jesus to be the Lord of your life. Most importantly, GOD wants you to save you for eternal life. He just has this one requirement for salvation.

Believe in the power of life and love that is in his son Jesus, Christ.